This is Mara's bear that she got on her first Christmas and she love love loves it! Bear has gone with us to Disneyland, Boise, the Cabin, and countless car rides. Mara takes this bear almost EVERYWHERE she goes. Little did we know that she was MIA for exactly 5 1/2 hours today.
I had my Activity Day girls over today so Pat took the kids to the Library, and of course, bear had to go too. We didn't realize that she was missing until bed time. After searching the house 3 times, looking in the car, and every nook & cranny, she was no where to be found. So I asked Pat where he took the kids. The reply was Library & Target. My first thought is that she lost it at the Library, and they for sure would have it, but then he tells me that he knew that bear came out of the Library. So I asked if bear came out of Target, and he couldn't remember. I grab my cell phone and call Target (I have their # programed), I explain to Guest Services about the missing bear, after a moment she tells me that it's there!! We were in the process of putting the kids to bed, so we said goodnight and then I drove to Target and picked up the bear. It was dumb, but I totally cried in the car after I got her. It's one of those toys that your kids have had for so long that it's become a member of the family. I didn't know what I was going to do if it was gone. I'm just glad it didn't come to that. By the time I got home Mara was already asleep, so I snuck into her room and put bear next to her. I'm expecting to get a big smile and thank you from her in the morning. And now we have a new rule:
ALL TOYS STAY IN THE CAR!!!!!
I still can't believe that someone found her and turned her in to the lost & found. This truly is a tender mercy from Heavenly Father. He knew of the importance of the bear and made sure that she was reunited with Mara, and I thank Him for that.